U.S. patent number 5,775,497 [Application Number 08/762,715] was granted by the patent office on 1998-07-07 for portable cradle for a personal computer.
This patent grant is currently assigned to United States Luggage, L.P.. Invention is credited to Richard J. Krulik.
United States Patent |
5,775,497 |
Krulik |
July 7, 1998 |
Portable cradle for a personal computer
Abstract
A modular, self-contained, protective carrying-case for an
electronic unit, such as a laptop computer, is disclosed. The
laptop computer is tightly and snugly contained within a sling,
which is resiliently located between a pair of cushioned,
rigidized, side boards. The carrying-case is compact and includes
appropriate cushioning for the laptop computer, so as to readily
permit the carrying-case, including the laptop computer, to be
inserted into a business case or other articles of luggage, such as
a wheeled carry-on case, backpack, briefcase, zippered portfolio or
attache case.
Inventors: |
Krulik; Richard J. (Dix Hills,
NY) |
Assignee: |
United States Luggage, L.P.
(Hauppauge, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
25065858 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/762,715 |
Filed: |
December 10, 1996 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/320; 190/102;
206/583 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C
13/002 (20130101); A45C 13/36 (20130101); A45C
2013/025 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A45C
13/00 (20060101); A45C 13/36 (20060101); B65D
085/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/320,523,583
;190/100,102,103,124 ;229/67.1,67.3 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Fidei; David T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Abelman, Frayne & Schwab
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A modular, self-contained protective carrying case for a laptop
computer, comprising:
a pair of substantially rigid side boards in spaced, substantially
parallel, arrangement;
each of said side boards having top, bottom, and right and left
edges, and inner and outer generally planar surfaces extending
between said edges;
an elastically resilient generally U-shaped sling extending between
the inner planar surfaces of said side boards,
each of the open ends of the "U" secured to respective ones of said
inner side board surfaces at their top edge region, with the
central section of the "U" depending towards said bottom edges;
cushioning material contained in at least the side boards between
the inner and outer planar surfaces, a long the arms of the
U-shaped sling;
a first side strap connected between the right edges of said side
boards, and a second side strap connected between the left edges of
said side boards;
the top edges of said side boards providing an access opening for
inserting an electronic unit and removing same from within said
sling, with said side straps urging said side boards towards each
other to tightly and snugly retain the electronic unit within the
sling therebetween.
2. A modular, self-contained protective carrying case of claim 1,
wherein
cushioning material is contained within both side boards and the
arms of the U-shaped sling.
3. A modular, self-contained protective carrying case of claim 1,
wherein
said side straps include resilient material for urging said side
boards towards each other.
4. A modular, self-contained protective carrying case of claim 3,
wherein
at least one of said side straps is permanently connected between
the right or left side edges of the side boards.
5. A modular, self-contained protective carrying case of claim 3,
wherein
both of said side straps are permanently connected between their
respective right or left side edges of the side boards.
6. A modular self-contained protective carrying case for a laptop
computer, comprising:
a pair of substantially rigid side boards in spaced, substantially
parallel, arrangement:
each of said side boards having top, bottom, and right and left
edges, and inner and outer generally planar surfaces extending
between said edges;
an elastically resilient generally U-shaped sling extending between
the inner planar surfaces of said side boards,
each of the open ends of the "U" secured to respective ones of said
inner side board surfaces at their top edge region, with the
central section of the "U" depending towards said bottom edges;
cushioning material contained in at least the side boards between
the inner and outer planar surfaces, along the arms of the U-shaped
sling;
a first side strap connected between the right edges of said side
boards, and a second side strap connected between the left edges of
said side boards;
the top edges of said side boards providing an access opening for
inserting an electronic unit and removing same from within said
sling, with said side straps urging said side boards towards each
other to tightly and snugly retain the electronic unit within the
sling therebetween
at least one of said side straps including first and second
members, a first member having one end secured to the side edge of
one of said side boards and a second member having one end
connected to the side edge of the other side board, the free ends
of said first and second members including connecting means for
releasably connecting said first and second members.
7. A modular, self-contained protective carrying case of claim 6,
wherein
at least one of said first or second strap members includes
resilient material for urging said side boards towards each
other.
8. A modular, self-contained protective carrying case of claim 6,
wherein
said connecting means includes a pressure fastener.
9. A modular, self-contained protective carrying case of claim 1,
wherein
the arms of the "U" are formed of substantially rigid padded
material and the central region of the "U" is formed of resilient
material.
10. A modular, self-contained protective carrying case of claim 1,
wherein
both the upper and lower extremities of the U-shaped sling are
displaced from the top and bottom edges of the side boards.
11. A modular, self-contained protective carrying case of claim 1,
wherein
each of said side boards is rectangular, and said upper access
opening is along the longer sides of the rectangles.
12. A modular, self-contained protective carrying case of claim 1,
wherein
each of said side boards is rectangular, and said upper access
opening is along the shorter sides of the rectangles.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a modular, self-contained, protective
carrying case for an electronic unit, such as a laptop computer,
which protectively positions the laptop computer within a cushioned
cradle support.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Laptop-type personal computers are designed for substantial
portability, such that the user may readily transport the laptop
computer to locations, other than at a permanent installation.
Recognizing the relative sensitivity of the laptop computer,
appropriate protection must be provided during transportation of
the laptop computer to insure that dropping or other jarring
thereof will not result in damage to the laptop computer.
Accordingly, a variety of carrying cases have been proposed which
are luggage-type products customized to contain the laptop
computer. Such luggage-type carrying cases are typically shown in
Hollingsworth U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,119; Marceau U.S. Pat. No.
5,160,001; and, Brown U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,988. Such prior art
laptop computer carrying cases are designed to carry only the
laptop computer, and possibly auxiliary components (e.g., floppy
disks). Hence, they must be carried as an independent article of
luggage for the laptop computer. This can be particularly
inconvenient when the user has other articles of luggage and a
business case for transporting products other than the laptop
computer.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is desired to provide an appropriate, protective
carrying case for the laptop computer which may be placed within
conventional luggage or a business case (i.e., a wheeled carry-on
case, backpack, briefcase, zippered portfolio or attache case),
while providing the requisite cushioned protection for the laptop
computer.
Further, the easy recognition of a separate carrying case for a
laptop computer, which is relatively expensive, has facilitated
thievery of laptop computers at transportation terminals and other
public gathering places. Accordingly, the ability to conceal the
laptop computer in a conventional business case or other articles
of luggage reduces the tendency of such thievery.
It is therefore an object of the present invention, to provide a
modular, self-contained, protective carrying case for the laptop
computer which can be inserted, as an integral unit, within a
business case or other articles of luggage. Preferably, the present
carrying case is readily adjustable in size to accommodate
variations in laptop computers, and includes appropriate cushioning
and resilient materials for snugly containing the laptop computer
in a shock-absorbing unit. Advantageously, the carrying case adds
minimal additional volume to the laptop computer, and is of a
simple, low cost, construction.
Specifically, the modular, self-contained, protective carrying case
of the present invention includes a pair of substantially rigid
side boards which are in spaced, substantially parallel
arrangement. The side boards are preferably of a rectangular shape,
with an elastically resilient generally U-shaped sling extending
between inner planar surfaces of the sideboards. Each of the open
ends of the U-shaped sling is secured to a respective one of the
inner side board surfaces at its top-edge region, with the central
section of the "U" depending towards the bottom edges of the side
boards. Preferably, both the bottom of the "U" and the securement
of the open ends of the "U" to the side boards are displaced from
the bottom and top edges of the side boards. Cushioning material is
contained in at least the side boards, and preferably also along
the arms of the U-shaped sling. Side straps, which preferably
include resilient material, urge the side boards toward each other,
such that when the laptop computer is inserted into the sling,
through the open top edges of the side boards, the side straps will
urge the side boards and arms of the "U" towards each other to
tightly and snugly retain the laptop computer within the sling. The
side straps will also advantageously include cushioning
material.
Various modified embodiments are shown. For example, the resilient
side straps can either (a) permanently connect the edges of the
side boards towards each other, or (b) include separate members
which are connected to each other at their free ends by a
releasable connecting means (e.g., a Velcro fastener). Further, the
top edge opening for the insertion of the laptop may be along (a)
the longer side of the rectangular side board, typically where it
is intended to be placed in a conventional type of hand-carried
luggage, or (b) alternatively, along the narrower edges of the
rectangle, where it is intended to be transported within a
backpack.
Advantageously, the compactness, simplicity, and relatively low
cost of the present carrying case facilitates its use as a
protective portfolio when transporting the laptop computer between
different locations within an office, or during temporary storage
within the office while the laptop computer is not in use. Such
protective portfolio containment of the laptop computer
advantageously protects it against dropping, jarring, or other
movements within one's office or home, which could otherwise result
in damage to the laptop computer.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to
provide a modular, selfcontained, protective carrying-case for an
electronic unit, such as a laptop computer, which does not require
a separate article of hand luggage.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a
modular, self-contained, protective carrying-case in which the
laptop computer is protectively contained within a cushioned
sling.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
modular, self-contained, protective unit for a laptop computer
which readily permits the safe packing of the laptop computer
within another article of luggage or a business-type case, with
minimal increased volume requirements beyond that of the laptop
computer.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a
modular, self-contained, protective carrying-case for the laptop
computer which is of simple construction, and of relatively low
cost.
These as well as further objects of the present invention will
become apparent upon the following description and drawings in
which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the arrows 2--2 as shown in
FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the arrows 3--3 as shown in
FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, generally corresponding to FIG. 1,
but showing a modified form.
FIG. 5 is another perspective view, generally corresponding to FIG.
1, but showing still a further modification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring initially to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the
modular, self-contained, protective carrying-case 10 of the present
invention is adapted to snugly receive an electronic unit, such as
the laptop computer "L". The carrying-case comprises a pair of
substantially rigid side boards 10,20. The side boards include top
edges 11,21, bottom edges 12,22, right edges 13,23, and left edges
14,24. An elastically resilient generally U-shaped sling 25 extends
between the inner planar surfaces of the side boards 10,20. Each of
the open ends 26 of the U-shaped sling is secured to respective
ones of the side boards at their top edge region, preferably
displaced somewhat from the top edges 11,21. The arms 27 of the
sling extend downwardly towards the bottom edge region of the side
boards, and are connected together by a resilient member 28 which,
will preferably be upwardly displaced from the bottom edges 12,22
of the side boards.
Each of the side boards 10,20 includes outer surfaces 10-1, 20-1,
and space inner surfaces 10-2 and 20-2. These surfaces are formed
of a rugged, aesthetically attractive material, such as nylon,
vinyl or a textile fabric. The rigidness of the side boards is
provided by a layer 10-3, 20-3 which may typically be a
non-flexible sheet of plastic material. An intermediate cushioning
layer, 10-4, 20-4 is provided, which may typically be sponge-rubber
or comparable plastic foam material. The several layers forming the
side boards 10,20 are bound by peripheral binding 19,29.
The arm portions 27 of the sling member may typically be covered by
the same material which covers the outer and inner surfaces of the
side boards 10,20. Preferably, cushioning material 32 is also
provided along and within the arms forming the "U" of the sling.
The central section of the sling, shown at 31, is formed of a
resilient material.
A pair of, preferably identically constructed, side straps 40 are
provided along the side edge openings of the side boards 10,20. The
side straps preferably include a resilient section 41 and a
cushioned section 42. The cushioned section 42 has outer and inner
walls, preferably formed of the same material, comprising the outer
surfaces of the side boards 10,20, and arms 27 of the sling. The
interior cushioning material 43 is preferably the same material
provided within the side boards 10,20 and arms 27 of the sling.
Each of the side straps 40 shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3,
comprise a single member, the opposite ends of which are secured to
their respective side edges of their sideboards by the peripheral
binding 29.
The resilient member at the bottom 31 of the "U", and sections 41
of the side straps are formed of an elastic material, such that
when the laptop computer "L" is inserted into the carrying case 10,
along the top edge 11, and rests within the sling 25, the side
boards will be urged towards each other, while the bottom of the
"U" is urged inward, to snugly retain the laptop computer "L".
Accordingly, carrying-case 10 functions as a modular,
self-contained, protective carrying-case for the laptop computer in
a very compact manner. Should it be desired to transport the laptop
computer, the entire unit may be readily placed within another
article of luggage, such as a wheeled carry-on case, with the
cushioning material contained within the side walls 10,20, sling
section 31, and side straps 42 surrounding and appropriately
protecting the laptop computer. Hence, the laptop computer can be
readily transported without necessitating a separate article of
luggage, as had been typically required by the prior art.
FIG. 4 shows a modified form of the carrying case of FIGS. 1-3,
wherein like components are designated by the same numbers with a
prime suffix. The variation of FIG. 4 is providing the opening for
the laptop computer along the narrow edges 14',24' of the side
boards with the edge side straps 40-1' now being provided along the
longer sides of the rectangular side boards. Straps 40-1' include
resilient sections 41-1' and cushioned sections 42-1'. Hence, the
unit shown in FIG. 4 is in all respects similar to that shown in
FIGS. 1-3, except that the opening is along the narrow side. The
modified configuration of FIG. 4 facilitates the placement of the
protective carrying-case within a backpack.
FIG. 5 shows still a further embodiment wherein like components are
designated by the same numbers with a double prime suffix. In this
embodiment the side straps are each formed of a pair of first and
second members 42",44" having a releasable connection at their free
ends, such as complementary Velcro pressure fasteners 43',45'.
It should naturally be understood that various other modifications
may be made in accordance with the present invention, within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *